All vehicles come with a standard air filtration system that is provided by the manufacturer, but this filter is the bare minimum amount of air filtration that is typically required for your vehicle to function properly. Replacing the factory original with a cold air intake system is a great way to improve the performance of your vehicle. Why is a cold air intake system preferred? Cold air is denser than warm air, and as a result, it contains more oxygen, which means better combustion and a more efficient performance. Let’s explore a few of the variations of cold air intake systems that are available.

Cold air intake systems with heat shields are designed to look like heated aluminum. Custom cold air intake systems feature specially shaped mounting brackets that are designed to accommodate older vehicles. Dual chamber systems are designed with tubing that changes diameters, which changes the air flow going to the engine. A hybrid air intake system is designed for older vehicles that have new or rebuilt engines. An electronically tuned cold air intake system is one that has sensors that adjust the amount of air the engine is receiving. Regardless of the cold air intake system you choose, you will need to make sure that it is designed for your vehicle. If it is not specifically made for your make and model, then confirm that it will work, and fit properly under your hood. Make sure that the device you select is easy to install, and soon you will be seeing the benefits of using a cold air intake system in your car or truck. The horsepower and performance of your vehicle will be better and your gas mileage will improve as well. In addition, since the engine is being consistently cooled by cold air, the life of your engine will be extended when you incorporate a cold air intake system into your vehicle. What are some of the best options available on the market? Let’s compare a few.

Cold Air Intake Systems Best Design Feature Price Rating

K&N Performance Cold Air Intake Kit 57-3050 This cold air installation kit lasts up to 100,000 miles before the device needs to be serviced. $256.99 4.7/5

K&N 63-2575 Air Charger Performance Air Intake System The installation process is less than 90 minutes. $272.99 4.5/5

Spectre Performance Cold Air Intake 9900 Kit It comes complete with a powder-coated steel heat shield. $152.99 4.4/5

AEM 21-8502DC Gun Metal Brute Force Intake System It comes with a DRYFLOW synthetic air filter that is designed to last a lifetime. $293.99 4.6/5

K&N 71-3070 Blackhawk Induction Air Intake System The air filter can be washed and reused instead of being replaced. $318.99 4.7/5

aFe Power Magnum FORCE 54-12192 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Performance Cold Air Intake System It features a dual tube design that is capable of producing 44 percent more air intake. $381.99 4.7/5

Volant 154536 Cool Air Intake Kit with PowerCore Filter It has an insulated box design to protect the filter from engine heat. $280.81 4.4/5

K&N Performance Cold Air Intake Kit 57-3050

K&N is a company that has been around for 35 years. They were the originators of the reusable cotton gauze filter, and the technology is still used in their cold air filtration systems today. The K&N COLD AIR INTAKE KIT 57-3050 is a prime example of a top of the line product that uses these washable filters that can easily be reused. In fact, you will be able to drive your vehicle approximately 100,000 miles with this air intake system installed before a new filter or any maintenance is required. This device will give your vehicle a horsepower gain of 11.93 horsepower at 5,367 RPMs. This much of an increase will improve the throttle response of the vehicle as well as the sound that the engine produces. In addition, using this intake system will increase the power of your vehicle’s engine by about ten percent from the factory filter that came with the car. Often referred to as FIPK, this unit also features a heat shield along the side of the filter to help protect it from the heat of the engine. Installation of this device is quick and easy. The unit is only 11.6 pounds with dimensions of 22.2 x 14.2 x 12.5 inches, which means that as long as this cold air intake system fits your car’s make and model, it should not take more than 90 minutes to install. This intake system is designed to comply with emission standards so it is legal to use in all 50 states. In addition, purchasing this device includes a ten year warranty or a one million mile guarantee.To Buy this product online on Amazon Click Here

K&N 63-2575 Air Charger Performance Air Intake System

The next cold air intake system on our list is also manufactured from K&N, which is no surprise because as we already discussed, they have been in the market for 35 years. This device is slightly larger than the first one that we looked at. It has dimensions of 35.5 x 13.2 x 10.5 inches, and it only weighs about 11 pounds, which means that it is actually lighter than the previous one we reviewed. The unit is also very easy to install; in fact, it should take less than 90 minutes to install the entire unit into your vehicle. The device is designed to improve the performance of your engine as well as the throttle response. It gives your vehicle an extra 11.04 horsepower at 4,600 RPMs, which is a good bit more than the factory intake system that you are replacing. The filter is made from cotton gauze that is washable and can be reused when it becomes covered in dust and debris. Fortunately, this filter should not need to be cleaned or serviced for at least 100,000 miles. In addition, there is a heat shield built into the device to help protect the filter from the heat of the engine. Using this cold air intake system is a viable option in every state but California. The emission laws in this state prevent this device from being street legal to have installed in a vehicle. It does come with a one million mile warranty that ensures that the performance of your vehicle is increased for a long period of time.To Buy this product online on Amazon Click Here

Spectre Performance Cold Air Intake 9900 Kit

Spectre is the manufacturer of the next cold air intake kit on our list. It is a lightweight system that is simple to install. The dimensions of the unit are 23.2 x 12.2 x 8.3 inches, so if is actually one of the smallest air intake systems that we have reviewed thus far. The tubing on the device is constructed from a polished aluminum, which is part of the reason why this unit comes in a package that only weighs nine pounds. When you install this cold air intake system into your vehicle, the horsepower will increase, but the throttle response will be the first change that you will notice. The unit is designed with a powder-coated steel heat shield that is designed to protect the filter from the heat of the engine. The filter can be purchased in red, black, blue, or white, and there is a 90 day warranty included to cover the cost of any parts that need to be replaced or repaired.To Buy this product online on Amazon Click Here
AEM 21-8502DC Gun Metal Brute Force Intake System

The next cold air intake system on our list is the AEM 21-8502DC. It is a lightweight device that is easy to install. It is about 13.8 pounds in weight, and it has dimensions that are 22.2 x 14.6 x 15.1, which actually makes it one of the largest air intake systems on our list so far. It is designed to give you a massive horsepower increase; in fact, you will see 17.9 extra horsepower at 3,750 RPMs. The tubes are available in a chrome finish or charcoal, and there is also a powder-coated heat shield built into the unit to help protect the filter from the engine. The filter is designed with DRYFLOW synthetic technology, which means that it is designed to be able to take on the entire lifetime of your vehicle. In fact, the entire device comes with a guarantee that this cold air intake system will improve the power of your vehicle as long as it is in working condition.To Buy this product online on Amazon Click Here

K&N 71-3070 Blackhawk Induction Air Intake System

K&N is definitely a popular brand when it comes to cold air intake systems, and the Blackhawk Induction Air Intake System that they manufacture is the next one on our list. It is only an 11.3 pound device, which means that it a lightweight device that is easy to install. In fact, most installations can be completed in 90 minutes or less. The dimensions are 24 x 16 x 15 inches, so it will be compatible with a lot of different vehicle makes and models. The air intake system is designed to provide 12.17 additional horsepower at 5,342 RPMs, which is a large improvement over the factory system that was included with your vehicle. The filter is a dry synthetic filter that is washable, which means that it can be cleaned and used again. The entire system should be able to withstand 100,000 miles of travel before any cleaning or maintenance needs to be done to the system. In addition, the filters can be purchased in both black and red. The K&N Blackhawk comes with a one million mile guarantee that shows that the company stands behind the performance levels of their cold intake systems.To Buy this product online on Amazon Click Here

aFe Power Magnum FORCE 54-12192 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Performance Cold Air Intake System

The next cold air intake system on our list is the aFe Power Magnum FORCE. It is a device that is designed to give your vehicle a massive boost in performance while still following eco-friendly guidelines and standards that are designed to protect the environment. By following these eco-friendly guidelines, this air intake unit has ensured its legality in all 50 states. To help increase the performance level of your vehicle, this device was designed with a dual tube intake. The tubes are connected with an H-pipe design to help balance as the air flows through them. It provides 32 extra horsepower to your vehicle as well as 35 pounds of torque gain. The air intake is increased by an amazing 44 percent, which helps to improve your gas mileage as well. In addition, the device is only 15 pounds with dimensions of 23 x 16 x 13, so installing it should not prove to be too difficult. The filter in this cold air intake system is a five layer gauze filter that is designed to be washed and used multiple times. There is also a heat shield that is designed to protect the filters from the heat of the engine. All parts and labor on this air intake unit are covered by a warranty for as long as you own your vehicle.To Buy this product online on Amazon Click Here

Volant 154536 Cool Air Intake Kit with PowerCore Filter

The final system on our list is the Volant 154536 cool air intake kit. It is an intake system that is a little bit different than the rest that we have reviewed. It differs because it is designed with a square enclosure that is designed to protect the entire unit, but especially the filter. It is only 11.2 pounds, so it is light weight and easy to lift when you are installing it. It is about 20 x 16 x 12 inches in size, which means that it is likely to fit into quite a few different vehicle models. The filter is comprised from a high grade cotton material that is made to be five layers thick. The filters are reusable; simply wash them out, allow them to dry, and use them again. The five layer design reduces air restrictions that may be in place for the engine, which allows it to perform with much more horsepower than the factory model would allow. You should easily be able to travel 150,000 miles before the filter or the intake system needs to be cleaned or maintained at all. In addition, as long as you own the vehicle with this cold air intake system installed in it, the device is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.To Buy this product online on Amazon Click Here Cold air intake systems are designed to provide your vehicle with more horsepower, more, torque, and help save you money over the lifetime of your vehicle. Your gas mileage will improve and so will your car’s overall performance. If we were to select the best cold air intake system out of the ones that were reviewed here, the aFe Power Magnum FORCE 54-12192 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Performance Cold Air Intake System stands out above the rest. It has a dual tube design that greatly increases the horsepower and the torque of your vehicle. The price is a little on the high end though, so if you are looking for a little more bang for your buck, then the K&N Performance Cold Air Intake Kit 57-3050 is the perfect choice for you. The price is right, and it provides an overall performance increase that is guaranteed for one million miles.